Three students of the Riverside Student Center Mosaic Academy will dance in the 40th anniversary celebration spectacular of St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico of Redlands on Saturday, November 8, 3pm and 6pm, in the Redlands East Valley High School’s Blackstone Theatre (visit their Facebook page for additional details). The dancers are siblings: Valentina & Levi Arguello, both grade 4, and Natalia Arguello, grade 8.
“Dancing has been an awesome experience for my children,” remarked Maya Arguello, their mother. “We’re especially looking forward to this event. We’ve been practicing nine hours a week to get ready for it.”
Natalia has been dancing with St. Mary’s Ballet for seven years, and Valentina and Levi subsequently joined as well. Maya herself participated in Folklorico dancing beginning at age 10 in 1980; she continued dancing with her siblings until 2002. Her performances took her across the country, dancing at fairs, church events, family reunions and weddings. She said, “It was fun being part of a group, dressing up and traveling. My kids love it, too.”
Valentina, Levi and Natalia have danced in many Southland venues, including the Los Angeles County Fair and the Date Festival. Each performance, Maya noted, takes three hours of preparation, doing make-up, hair and putting on costumes: “It is a labor of love … I’m very proud of them for their efforts.”
Natalia first joined the Springs family as a homeschool student six years ago, and her siblings subsequently joined the program. They’ve been part of the Mosaic program for three years. Maya said, “It’s been a great program for us. My kids have learned a lot!”
